What does the cryptic crossword clue "Coward, say, awfully wary, in dire straits (10)" mean?

The definition is "Coward,". The wordplay uses an anagram. anagram of WARY (synonym="awfully") + PLIGHT (synonym="dire straits/a difficult situation") = PLAYWRIGHT; definition: "Coward, say," The answer is PLAYWRIGHT.

Coward, say, awfully wary, in dire straits (10)

Guardian Cryptic #28960 | 14 Down | 2023-01-06 flower

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